Processing apparatus



March 3, 1931. l. E, com/1N ET AL 1,794,670

PROCESSNG APPARATUS Filed Marchi? 1925 6 Sheets-Sheet l Mrch, 1931. l.E, col- VIN ET AL Y 1,794,670

PROCESSING APPARATUS Filed March 17. 192.6 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Mach 3,1931. l. E, coLvlN ET AL 1,794,670

PROCESSING APPARATUS Filed March 1'7I 1925 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 4 -136 114/L57 VA150/ Y 0 .-Elw

INVENTORS 'rwzZ-Njlayzwow am o EYs Ma'rch 3, 1931. E. coLvxN ET AL1,794,670

PROCESSING APPARATUS v Filed March 17, 1926 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 m. h/ \1 F61 U6 i 5 www@ f5 1 M L IS lvELlzTjloRs I] @my y v March l3, 1931 l. E. COLVIN ET AL PRCESSING-APPARATUS Filed March 17, 1926 6 Sheets-Sheet 5INVENTORS l March 3, 1931.

1E.coLvJETAL PROCESSING APPARATUS Filed March 17' 925 6 Sheets-Sheet 6Patented Mar. 3, 1931 'estelar rsaAC CoLvIN, or CHICAGO, inirnois, AND,GRANT n. ivrANrscnjiANn nudo. e.,

Werra-neer Roenes-snit, .NEW Yoan, Assrenons; To TiankrrAUnL-na-coiarifinr, or nccnnsrnn, newseme -AconroaATion or NEW Yoan Yv Application inea March 1'?, ,1925.r semi No. 95,454.

form of construction and capable of being` eliiciently employedortreating a batch of l milk or other iiuid to be processed in a com-,plete and expeditious manner. Y 0 'Another objectisthe provision. oiapparatus of this nature capable of operativo-n by variations ofpressure, as,Y for example, by

tli'e'use'ofipressures above and belovsT that of` the atmosphere, forei'lecting` in a-vsimpleand l5 practical inannerthe supplyand dischargev n n i of the latter toprevent obJectionable ioaming),v and in whichthe milk after treatn'ient is- 4u treating container. I

of the Afluid to be treated 'to and from the proc-V essing container.v

Another object the class described adapted for operation by variationsof pressure includingthe use of al partialvacuum to which the Amilk orother Huid to be treated 1s sub]ected 1n the processing container,whereby the application of the H partial vacuum serves to remove rfromthe 'milk various objectionable odors, gases and the like to improveitsquality. y Another obj ect is the provision osuch yan apparatusconstructed to supply the milk to the processingvcontainer adjacent thebottom discharged at a point below7 the bottom of the container toinsure complete emptying of the latter, the parts being so constructedand arranged as to obviate any admixture of untreated With'treatedfluid.

A further object isftoprovide apparatus, such as described, or" anautomatic character capable'of operating inofanVK elioient and reliablemanner to insure complete pasteurization of all portions of a batcho'/millr for the required length off time and therapid supply anddischarge of the `saine to and from the Still a further object isthefprovision` of apparatus having the above advantages pable of,automaticallytreating a substantially 'A continuous supply of milkWhile at the samel l time subjecting all portionso'l'- such supply toVtionsot parts,v yalias. Will be hereinafter more specication.

is to providey apparatus ot essary period.

To these and other ends the inventionl resides incertain improvementsand combina#Y fully described, the novel features beingvv pointed out inthe claims atthe endof the lin the drawings:

embodying the vpresent invention; y

VFigure is an elevation of oneside thereof; Figure Y3 is an endelevationofthe'sam'e;VY

Figure fl an enlarged' detail cfa portion A of the camshaft drive; Y

Figure .5"is an enlarged` elevation of the l speed reduction gearing fordrivingthe cam.'

shaft for actuatin'gythesame; f Figure?1 is van enlarged centralsectional view of afloat valve for each` container;

Figure Gis an' enlarged top plan vievvjoiE the air valves for onecontainer yand the means YFigures 8 and 9 are side elevations of thesaine with' the containerfwall in section, showing/:'thevalve indiier'ent operating positions;

''FigjfurellOV is anenlarged end view of the air valve and camshaftandshoiving the connections therebetween;

Figure ll is an enlarged central sectional! elevation ofl check valvesupply line;

means Afor the milk Figure '12 is an enlarged sectional View on i theline 12a-*12a in Figure l1;

Figure 13 is an enlarged. central sectional elevation through a pair ofair valves fon each container; and i,

Figure le' is an enlarged transverse sectional vieiv through one of thecontainers showing the milk conducting means therefor.

Similar reference numerals throughout the several views indicate thesame parts,

The' invention is disclosedherein, by Way *I of'illustration, in anembodiment particularly-adapted for use as apasteurizingiapparatas or,more speoiiically., an apparatus for g holdingr milk for the requisiteperiod after it ha, been heated to the pasteurizing` temperature, Vfor Icompleting'"pasteurization: Ther present apparatus'comprises'apluralityV of Figure l is atop plan view of an'apparatusl- 60 'Kinsulated containers with means for lling and emptying the same insuccession, one after another, -to handle a supply of the milk to betreated in a substantially continuous manner.

vReferring' more particularly to the draw-- ings, and first to Figuresl, 2 and 3 thereof, the holding c ntainers, of which in thepresentinstance there are five, are shown at 2O-V are arranredinL the presentinstance, asshown in Figure n 'li three of them disposed horih zontallyside by side and close together and supported on the floor by legs rlheremaininc,l containers are supported on and above the intervals of the'lower row, as by means of legs 25 resting on thY lower containers, Thisprovides a con'ipact, banked arrangement of the containers occupying aminimum of floor space and, while five such containeis are shown in thepresent instance, it will be apparent that a great-er or less number ofthem may be employed. y

rllhe milk supply source is represented by a feed tank 26 at atmosphericpressure and supplied with milk adjacent its bottom through a supplypipe 27. Dipping into this milk supplyris a header pipe 28 ext-endingabove one end of the bank of containers. i Parallel with this supplyline 23 is a discharge means or header pipe 29. lipes 23 and 29 areconnected by means including check valves, as hereafter described, withavertical conducting means or pipe 30 for each of the containers toalternately supply milk from the header 28 -to each container throughthe pipe 30 and to discharge the milk from the containers through thesaine pipe 30 to the discharge line 29.

The milk conducting means 30 for each i containeror tank preferablyconnects with the latter at point below the bottom of the tank, for thepurpose of supplying milk at the bottom of the tank to avoid theobjectionable foaming which occurs when the milk is supplied to the tankat its top, and also for the purpose of completely draining the tankdurdischarge. To this end each tank, at the front end of its bottom, isprovided below the latter with a well, Figure ld, into which the milkconducting means or pipe 30 dips- Such a well is formed, in the presentinstancaby extending a flange 3l from the inner wall of the tank, asshown, through the jacket to a substantial distance below the bottom ofthe tank, this well being closed at its lower end as by means of a cap32. Milk conductor 30 extended through a stuffing in the upper side ofthe tankof any suitable construction as indicated generally at 33,Figure lll. The

vlower end of the conductor dips into the well 3l acent its bottom, asshown,so that the milk is thus supplied tothe tank atY its very bottomand pletely drained during discharge.

Milk pi 3e 30 is connected at its upper end also so that the tank can becom- Y with the supply and discharge lines 23 and 29 equipped with apacking washer 40 for enh gagen'ient with seat 33 toV afford a liuidtight closure. Valve 39 carries a plurality of guidlugs ilslidablyengaging the inner surface of spring housing .36 to guide thev valvetoward and from its seat. A coiled spring.

l2 in the housing has one end engaged with -thevalve and the other Vwiththe end of the housing. The tension of this spring'V and therefore thepressure at which thevalve operates is adjustedV by adjusting a cap 43threadedly engaged on and forming the end of the housing. It will beapparent from this description *that the production of a pressure inconductor 30 and fitting 34 substantially less than ,thaty in the supplyline 28 serves to open the check valve and'to draw milk from the header28 and supply tank 26 into conductor 30 and into the correspondingcontainer, as hereafter described.

The remaining branch of the T fitting 34 is connected with one branch ofan elbow d4, the other branch of which connects with a T fitting d5 andthereby with the discharge line 29. Fitting llfialso comprises a checkvalve and is similar in construction to the check valve fitting 35described above, so that the Vdescription of the latter applies also tothe construction of fitting dei. Y The latter thus includes a scat i6with which cooperates a spring-actuated valve l? which, however, isseated and closed by a reduction of pressure in milk conductor 30 andiitting 34 below that of the pressure on the discharge line 29. Anincrease of the pressure in conductor 30 and fitting 3d, however, servesto move valve 37, against the tension of the spring, to open positionfor discharging the milk from conductor 30. such increase in pressurepermits and assists valve 39 to close and thus shut off communicationwith the milk supply.

rlhe milk supply source in the present i11- stance is at atmosphericpressure, as also the discharge line 29, and it will be apparent At thesame time ico,V

froml the above description that a substan-l tial reduction in'pressure,or partial vacuum,

in the container serves to connect the latterV With the milk supply lineand close communication With the discharge line 29, While a substantialincrease in pressure in the containerabove that ofthe atinosp erereverses the position of both valves, closes communication With thesupply and opens communication with the discharge so that the supplylines 28 and 29 may be automatically connected, one at a time, With thecontainer by variations in pressure in the latter above and below-thatof the atmosphere.

rlhe filling and emptying of the containers is thus'accomplished by thealternate production in each container ol a partial vacuum and apressure above that of the atmosphere,

.tolirst drawinilk into the container and then, after it hasbeen heldfor the desired period, to discharge the sanie therefrom. 'lo thisAendthe're is provided a source'r of air pressure represented, in thepresent instance7 by' a Vtank 48, Figure 1, of suitable capacity inWhich an appropriate pressure above that of the atmosphere' ismaintained in any suitable mannerl as bymeans of an automatic air pump:indicated generallyv at a9, as Well n rlhere is providedV also a;region `of reducedpressure or partialy understood in the art.

vacuum in the form of a container of suitable capacity which isexhausted by an automatic vacuumpump represented generally at 51, asWell understood in the art.' From y thesereservoirs`48and 50,respectively, eX- tend pressure `and vacuum headersV or air pipes 52and53 and means are provided for alternately and automatically connecting nthese headers one at a time With the holding containersv 20 through airpipes' 54, as hereafter described.

.The line Vor `pipe 54- for controlling the pressure in each container,to i'illV and empty the saine, preferably connects with the container atits top and adjacent the end thereof opposite the milk connections. Pipe54 in the present instance is thus threaded .into a nipple 55 having-ahead 56 seated in an opening in the mainvvall of the container. The

nipple extends through the insulatino jacket anda' lock nut 57 draws thenipple into fluid tightv contact With its seat in thetank Wall. Fixed tothe head 56 of the nipple in the containerfisa Wirecage 58 in whichslides vertically afloat valve body 59 having a conical upper endcooperating with a conical seat at the inner end ot the bore of thenipple, to close the latter in the elevated position of the valve. It isapparent from this construction that when a sub-atmospheric pressure isproduced in pipe 54 todraw the milk into and fill the container, themilkWill raise the float valve 59, when the tankis approximately lilled.into contact with its seat on nipple y56 and thus close pipe54, assistedby the effect air.

ofthe lovver'pressi'ire in the latter. The valve opens automaticallyWhen the pressure in 'pipe 5l is raised above'that oi' the vatmospherebut' closes the pipe to kstop the shown in Figures 1l and 13. rl`lievalve assemblyv is indicated generallyl at 60, having a branch or pipeliange-61 connected by means oi'tfa pipe 62 ivi-th theair pressure'line52.k A second branch or connection flange 63 is connected by means of apipe Gllwith the reducedV pressure or partial vacuum line 53.' The valveassembly has a central portion 65 With which the corresponding containerassembly for eaclifcontainer or tank, as best pipe communicates at theconnection yiiange ,66,li`igure 10.v A valve is thus'interposed betweenthe container and each of the Y pressure and vacuum lines 52and5'3for-there# by controlling the connecting means 'leading from each tankto the air pressure and` vacuum reservoirs 48 and 50. Y

The valve controlling the connection ofthe container :with the airpressure reservoir i8 is best sliovvn in Figure 13 Where it isindi catedgenerally at 67 at the lefthand side of figure. -lhis valve comprises abody por-` tion 68 having the-pipe connection 61 pre-fviously describedand vat the opposite sidev a pipe connection 69 Vfor thev centralportion 65 of the valve assembly. At 70 is aperti;V

tion havinga central opening orfvalvepassage 71, the circumference ofwhich forms the valve seat. At '.72 is the valve body in the generaltorni cfa disk having a pack' Washer 7 3 cooperating with the seat.rlliis valve body is in the present-,instance in the form of diskcarried by a hub? 1lpinned'on a tubu-j lar stem 75.A rlhe latterslideslongitudinal-r ly ina packing gland 76 at one end and in a similar gland7 7 l at the other-end 'of the body 68. Alcoiled compression spring 7 8about the Vstein betweenythe valveand the end of the `body 68 urges thestem longitudinallyy upward and the valve toward its seat to shut offcommunication with the source otcoinpress'ed The upper end ofthe valvestein is closed asl at 79.v The interior of the stein, however, is incommunication With the central portion 65 of the assemblythroughsuitable ports `.such as the plurality of openings 80, as shown.lThe-stemprojects below the bottom of the body'68 and this end vis openand rovided with a ilan'e 81 forming a valve seat. kPressedtoward thisseat isa iso valve body 82 ot generaldisk shape carried on the upper endof compression spring the lowei` endoia which is mounted on a plate 84carried on the upper end et an adjusting set screw 85. rlhe latter isthreadedly supported in the bottoni of an open cage 86 attached at upperend to the bottom oi the valve body 68. Means are provided, as hereafterdescribed for intermittently engaging the upper end of stem 75 to depressame against spring E8 and thus to open the valve and admit air pressureto the container. The pre re of the stem' and valve compresses spring sothat at such time valve maintains the lower end oi' the stem closed.When the stem 75 is released, however, it is moved upwardly by spring.78 to close the main valve and shut oii the air pressure the centralportion oi the assembly. At this time, however, the tension ot spring 83is relieved in the upper position of stem 75, so that the pressureremaining in the container and in the central portion or the ass inbly,

passing through ports 80 the stem, forces valve 82 from its seatsun'iciently to reheil'e the pressure in the container and bring` thesame back substantiaili to atmospheric pressure. This is for the purposeoit relieving the pressure in the container preparatory to he subsequentproduction of a reduced pressure in the saine.

The valve controlling the communication between the container and thesource oi repressure is shown at the right in Figim) fl i L'LLL 13 andindicated generally at S7. 'Elus alvecomprises a body portion 88 havingthe inpe connectionV flange 63 previously described for connection withthe source of reduced pressure and, at its opposite side, the pipeflange 89 connected with the central portion 65 of the assembly. Eetweenthese 'flanges is the partition 90 formed with an opening or valvepassage 91, the circumference of which serves as the valve seat.Cooperating with the latter is a disk-like valve 92 suitably packed at93 and mounted on a hub 9e' pinnedon a stem 9,5 which projects througliapacking gland 96 in the top of the body, as shown, and is open to theatmosphereV at its upper end. Coiled about the stem is a compressionspring 97 engaging at its upper end with valve 92'to seat the same andat its lower end with `the bottom portion of thel valve body 88. rlfhelatter' carries an adjustable set screw 98 supporting at its upper end adisk 99 supporting one end of an inner compression spring 100, the upperend of which carries a valve 101 seated against the open lower end ofstem 95. Means are provided as hereafter described for engagement witlthe upper end of stem 95 to open the valve against the action of spring97 to connect the container with the vacuum reservoir 50 to exhaust thecontainer. l/Vhile stem 95 is depressed for this purpose, spring 100 istensioned to maintain 'valve` 101 against the lower end of the stem toclose the latter. ll'lhen stem. 95 is released, however, it is raised byspring97 to close the main valve and disconnect the container from thevacuum reservoir; In such position the tension ng 100 is relieved andatmospheric ctering throughjthe end of the t` e stem 9.3, uns-eats valve101 and leves the partial vacuum inthe container, pi op .Latorytortl w apressure therein above that of the atmospliere. i

lt is thus apparent that the air valves 67 :ted and closed, i'orautomatically restorin?" plieric pressure. A

The air valves 0T. and 87 or each container above are operatedautomatically ce with a predetermined time in aoco-.. schedule, byai'ter described.. The connections fromV the cams ot said shaft to thevalve stems and are preiierably in the form of pivoted levers 102 and103, respectively, one end of Veach oi which bears against a cam on thecam shaft while the other endso'f thelevers engage the upper ends ornthe respective air valve stems 75 and 95, l4`igure 10. These leversbeing substantially the same in construction and arrangement, it willsuffice to describe the lever 103 which is pivoted interie subsequentproduction ofV the container to substantially atmos-` a common cam shaftas here-V ns acting alter each valve has been opm diate its ends at 104Con a bracket 105 projecting from the valve casing 88. 011e endet thelever carries a transverse cylindrical conf. tact bar 106 for engagementwith the upper end of valve stem 95, without, however,'clos ing theupper ond 01"' the latter. The other end oi the lever is provided with aContact surface 107 bearing on a cam 108 lixed on the eam shaft 109. Thecam is formed with a 'raised portion 110 adapted to rock the lever 103to depress the valve stem,the, parts being returned by the action of thespring 97 when the high portion 110 et the cam passes out of contactwith the lever. Lever 102 is-provided with a similar cam 111 iiXed onthe camshaft 109 and having a high portion 111e. rlhe cams 108 and 111are so formed and positioned on the shaft as to irst depress valve stem95 to connect the container with the partial vacuum reservoir 50 for asuilicient period to till the container with a batch of milk drawn fromthe reservoir 26 through the corresponding check valve in the conducting means 30.

As the fluid rises inthe container, lloat valve 59v is raised, when thecontainer has been lilled,.closing pipe 54;, after whichftime the camshaft 109 moves cam 108 toreleasel sure throueh vthe hollow valve. stemtoV reoperation.`

store the container tofsubstantially atmosaheiic pressure.' Shaft 109 isrevolvedby means hereafter described and after a prie'-V determinediolding period, lever v10,2 e is rockedr by the high kkportion 1116i ofcam'111 to` depress valve stem and connect the containei' with the airreserv ir 48 to forcethe contents of the container throughiconductor 30-to thedischarge line 29. rAfter' a sufl'icient period -to completelyempty Vthe "conf tainer, cam portion 1110i releases lever 102 .whichreleases valve stein Vto permit the valve to close, ready for'arepetitionY of the as `the valve closes the container is coni-iectedwith the atmosphere bythe unseating of auxiliary valve 82 so that .thecon'- taiiier vis restored to substantially atmospheric pressure readyfor the subsequent connection with the exhaustingmeans.- Valve operatingmeans areprovided for each of the containers and beingthe same for each,the above description applies to such' means for eachcontainer. Thecontainers are operated in succession, one after another, so that someoneof themis always being filled and another discharged, and theoperation oftlieapparatus asv a Whole is adapted to receive' anddischarge a substantially continuous supply ofmilk. To this end the,cams on'shaft 109 for the different containersare spaced or steppedabout the shaft to bring the containers intov operation in the desiredsequence or coordination.

` Cam shaft 109 is. supported in bearings 112 on suitable frame workcomprising, vfor example, the bracket means 113` which also supports theair valves 67 and 8'?, as well as a standard 114 atvone end of theshaft.` The means for driving the shaft comprises, preferably, a motordriven, speed reductionr gearing which in turn drives ajsprocket chainfor intermittently:imparting to the shaft a step by step orpartialrotation. To this end, the shaft has fixed thereon at its outer'endy a pair of spaced star wheels 115.` At one side and intermediatethese star wheels is 'a sprocket wheel 116, Figures 3 and 4, carried bybrackets 117 ony standard 114. The sprocket chain is shown at 118passing over the sprocket wheel and Vis provided with spaced-lugs 119extending laterally therefrom. As each of they chain lugs 119 passes thestar wheels 115 it turns the star-wheels and cam shaft a portion of onerevolution adapted to produce proper movementof the cams.v Chain 118passesv at its lower end about a. sprocket wheel120 on a shaft 121 101is automati-` which has fixed thereon a ratchet Wheel 122.

Anpawlf123 is actuated by a crank arm1211 on a-shaft `125 carryingfawormwheel 126.

Engaging the latter isa worm 127 on a shaft 128 whichlfcarriesalsospurgear 129 Vwith which meshes pinion 18,0- on the shaft of themotor/131. ly this means chainllS is given, apslow movement so that itsspaced lugs `produce theV desired intermittent turningof .the cam shaft.f 'y rlhe oineration ofthe apparatus has bee explained above invconnection with the de-` "i Jtionyof its construction from whichritVwill be understood that avcontinuous supply,

of fluid to be treatechsuch as milk, is fed `totank l26.V The pressuretanklSand the vacuum tank 50 are supplied with air andv eX- tha-usted,respectively, byl suitable l pump means. The driving motor 131, through'the action ofthe speedreduction gearing, effeets a'slow turning of thecam shaft `on which the cams are 'so arranged as to operate the airvalves in proper sequence for-filling and emptying the tanksin-succession, one after another. That is, each tank or container islirstconnected with ,the vacuum reservoirw50 by which itis exhausted todraw in a supply of milk throughrlinel'28,check'. valve 36 and conductor30. is the container is filled, its Vfloat valve 59 closes the line 54Cto theair valves andthe vacuum valve is e thenallowed by its-cam toclose. AAs'tliis Y valve closes it automatically breaks. the vac-v uumin the container.` This filling actionmay require a periodY of, say, 10minutes, after which the milkis allowed to stand in each Ycontainerrforthe desired holding period, of, say, 30 minutes, at the endyoffwhicb time the cam opensthe'valve 67-establishir` ,communicationbetween the container andairpressure reservoir 18. so that the pres-suredrives the milk through the yconductor 30,' check rvalve Tand dischargeline 29, thus completely emptyingthe container. atV this time, the valvetothe source of :pressure is permitted to close and automaticallyreleases therpressure in the container above that of the atmosphere,preparatory to repetition of the. cycle. VVhile the milk is being heldin one tank, the next is being filled and so on,

the tanks or containers being operated in succession sothat all of thecontainers are operating all of the time and the apparatus as awholeoperates at maximum capacit-y. The

' useof alternating pressures in the container belowl that of thepressure on the supply inlet and above that onkthe discharge outletserves fin anefl'ective and sanitary manner toaecomplish the movement ofthe milk from place kto place. while the use of the vacuum for drawingthe milk into the containers is lparticularly advantageous in that itvserves also to withdraw from the milk various objectionable'odors,gases, etc., to thus improve the` quality of the product.i The checkvalve mechanism for the milk conducting means and the connection of thelatter. with cach container belovv its bottom serves to maintain thevcomplete separation of the raw and treated fluids so'that the rawfiuidcannot contaminate that which has already been treated. rlheintroduction and Withdrawal of the fluid at the bottom of the container'prevents the foaming Which might occur, were the milk introduced at theupper portion of the container and also provides for complete emptyingof the same. lt is to be noted that the air valves for producing thedifferent pressures for filling and emptying the containers arepositively actuated, so that the chance of failure is eliminated and atall events that failure in operation of one of these valves Wouldmerely'stcp the operation of the corresponding container 'Withoutinterrupting the operating Vof' the other con tainers. Furthermore, thealternating pressures in the containers assist the operation of thespring-actuated Acheck valves in the mill; lines so that the chance offailure of these is also practically eliminated and should one of thechecking valves for any reason fail toY operate properly that also wouldmerely stop the operation of the corresponding container Without 'Wasteofany milk or contamination of pasteurized milk by raw fluid, rlfheinvention thus affords simple, practical and fully automatic apparatuscapable of handling the millr or other fluid in a reliable sanitary andcontinuous manner.Y

Je claim as our invention:

Vl. A processing apparatus comprising a fluid container, conductingmeans for connecting said container with a source of supply of fluid tobe treated and With discharge means, means for connecting said containeralternately With a source of pressure greater than that on saiddischarge means and with a region of pressure less than that on thefluid supply for alternately filling said container With said fluid anddischarging the same therefrom, a plurality of separate valves forcontrolling said connecting means, a common shaft provided with devicesfor operating said valves and mechanism for rotating said shaft inlaccordance With a predeterined time schedule.

2. A processing apparatus comprising a fluid container, conducting meansfor connecting said container With a source of supply of fluid to betreated and With discharge means, means for connecting said containeralternately with a source of pressure greater than that on saiddischarge means and'with a region at a pressure less than that on saidfluid supply, a pair of valvescontrolling said connecting means, a shafthaving a cam for operating each of said valves, and mechanism forrotating said shaft in accordance 'with a predetermined time schedule.

3.1A processing apparatus comprising a fluid containerihaving an inletadapted for connection with a source of supply of fluid to be treatedand having also an outlet, means for connectin said containeralternately With a region at a `pressure Vgreater than that on saidoutlet and With a region at less thanthat on said fluid supply, aplurality of separate valves for controlling said connecting means tovary the pressure in said container to fill and empty the same, each ot'said valves being provided With a device operating automatically uponclosure of the valveto restore said container to normal ressure andmechanism for o eratinf'r said valves automatically in accordance with apredetermined time schedule.

A. A processing apparatus comprising a fluid container, a source ofsupply of fluid to be treated, conducting means communicating with saidcontainer and with said fluid connecting means to vary the pressure insaid container to lill and empty the same, each of said valves beingprovided with a device operating automatically upon closure K of thevalve tojrestore the pressure in said container to normal, and mechanismfor 0p`- erating the valves of said connecting means automatically inaccordance With a predetermined time schedule.

5. A processing apparatus comprising a source of supply of fluid to betreated, a fluid container having an inlet connected with said fluidsupply and having also an outlet, check valves controlling` said`container inlet and outlet, means for connecting said containeralternately with a region of air pressure less than the pressure on saidvfluid supplyV and With a source of air pressure greater than that onsaid container outlet,.for producing variations of pressure in said`container to draw said fluid thereto and discharge the same therefrom,a valve operated by the fluid in said' container When the latter isfilled to close said connecting means, air valves controlling saidconnecting means, and mechanism for operating said air valvesautomatically in accordance With a predetermined time schedule.

1 6. A pasteurizing apparatus comprising a source of supply of milk tobe treated at at.

mospheric pressure, an insulated fluid containerhaving an inletconnected with said duid supply and having also an outlet, check valvescontrolling said container inlet and outlet, means forconnecting saidcontainer ria' .and

ci. '1,794 ero y alternately' with a region of pressureless than thatofthe atmosphere andwi'th a source of air pressure greater than that theatmosphere, air Valves controlling said connecting means for Varyingthepressure in said con* taiiier to 'draw the mill: tlieieinto yanddischarge t ie same therefrom, valve vepeiatedv hy the milk` in saidlcontainer when thelatter is filled for closingrsaid connectingfmeans,and mechanism for o} 3erating sid Valves auton'iatically in accordancewith a predeter- Vmined tline'i schedule.

7. A processing' apparatus comprising a source of supply of' duid to hetreated, a plurality of' duid containers, adischarge means, conducting`means 'for connecting eachof said containers adjacent the 'bottonithereof with said iiuid source and with said dischargev means,automat-ic check valves'toi said conducting means tendingY to checlrflow therefrom toward said fluidsupply andfloW thereto from saiddischarge ineansfmeans for connecting each of said containers`alternately with a source of pressure greater than that on saiddischarge means and With a region of'` pressure less4 than that on saidfluid supply source, separate valves for controlling said connectingmeans for each of said containers, and mechanism foroperating the valvesof each container to alternately fill and empty the same and foroperating the valves of said plurality of containers in succession toeffect a substantially continuous treatment of fluid from said supplysource.'

8. A pasteurizing apparatus comprising a source of supplyof mill; to hetreated at at-l mospheric pressurea pluralityof insulated fluidcontainers, a discharge means, conducting means for connecting each ofsaid containers adjacent the bottom thereof With said milk source andwith said discharge means, automatic check valves'controlling saidconducting' means to prevent floW from the latter toward said milksupply and toward said conducting means from said discharge means,

`means for connecting each of said containers alternately With ay sourceof air. pressure greater than that of the atmosphere and. With a regionof pressure less than that of the atmosphere, float valve means in eachvcontainer for closing said connecting means when the container isfilled, air valvesfor controlling said connecting means and a shaftprovided With cams for operating said valves to alternately fill andempty each of said containers one after another in accordance With apredetermined time schedule,

9. A; processing apparatus .comprising a l source of supply of fluidtobetreated, a .plu-

rality of fluid containers, a discharge means,

conducting` means for connecting each of said containers With said fluidsource and With said discharge means, automatic check Valves for saidconducting means tending to check flow therefrom toward said fluidsupply fand flow thereintofrom said discharge means,

a'source of pressure? greater than that on said discharge means, aregion of pressureless than that on said fluid supply sour e, a setofvalves,

one associated with each container, for connccting each container tosaid source of pressure, a second setof Valves, vone yassociated\vitheach container, for connecting` eacli'container to said region ofpressure, and lmeans for ope-ra container toiill and empty yeachcontainer altcrnately. s iv Y l;A Ai processing apparatus comprising. asource of supply of fluid to he treated, a pluralityfot fluidcontainers, a discharge means,;:

conductingmeans for connecting each kof said containers A,with vsaidfluid source and with o; the. Valves associated Withe'ach ,7.

said discharge means, automatic check valves A for said-iconducting.meanstending to checlr f flow therefrom' toward said fluidsupply andv` ifi-cw thereinto from said discharge means, source ofpressuregreater. than that on said discharge means, a-region of pressureless than that on said fluid supply source, a set of Valves, oneassociated with each container,

forconnecting each container to said source ot pressure, arsecond set.of valves, ,oneV ass s ciated with each container, for connecting Aeachcontainer to said region of'pressure,

means for -operatingthe valves associated.`

with` each container to fill Vand empty each container alternately,andfloait yalye means in each container for automatically closing theconnection between said containerand said region of pressure whenthefluid With? in said container reaches a ypredetermined point. i ,i ii 11. A processing apparatus comprising fa source of supply of fluid torbe treated, a plurality of fluid containers, a discharge means`conducting means for connecting each of said containerswith said fi'uidsource andwith said discharge means, automatic check Valves for saidconducting means tending to checlr flow therefrom towardsaid fluidsupply, and 1' flow thereinto from said discharge means, a y

source of pressure greater than that on said discharge means, a regionof pressure' less than thaton said -fluidsupply source, aset of Valves,one associated with each container, f

`conducting means'for connecting each of said containers With said fluidsource and With said discharge means, automatic check Valves for saidconduct-ing means tending tov check flo-W therefrom toward said fluidsupply and flow thereinto from said discharge'means, a source ofpressure greatcrthan that on said dicharge means, a region of pressureless than that on said fluid supply' source, a set of valves, oneassociated with each container, for connecting each 'container to saidsource of pressure, a second set ci valves, one associated with eachcontainer, forconnecting each container to said region of pressure, acam shaft, a plurality of cams on said shaft, one asso-V ciated witheach of said valves, for operating the latter according to apredetermined schedule, and mechanism for driving said cam shaft. Y Y

13. A processing apparatus comprising a source of supply of iuid to betreated, a pluality of' iuid containers, a discharge means, conductingmeans for connecting each of said containers with said fluid source andWith said discharge means, automatic check valves 'for said conductingmeans tending to check flow therefromtoivard said fluid supply and flovvthereinto from said discharge means, a source of pressure greater thanthat on said discharge means, a region of pressure less than that onsaid fluid supply source, a set of valves, one associated With eachcontainer, for

connecting each containerto said source of pressure, a second set ofvalves, one associated With each container, `for connecting eachcontainer to said region of. pressure, a shaft,

means on said shaft for operating said valves in predeterminedrelationship, a star Wheel on said shaft, an endless member movable adjacent said star Wheel and having means thereon Vfor producing a partialrotation of the star Wheel, and mechanism for driving said endlessmember. 1

14. A processing` apparatuscomprising a source of fluid supply to betreated, a fluid. container having a connection with said fluid supply,a region of pressure less than the pressure on said fluid supply, meansfor connecting said region of pressure to said container, said meansincluding a valve, a second valve for venting said container to theatmosphere, and resilient means acting to keep said second valve tightlyclosed When said first valve is open and permitting said second valve toopen under slight differences in pressurevvhen said first valve isclosed.

15. A processing apparatus comprising a fluid container having anoutlet, a source of pressure greater than that on said container outlet,means for connecting said container to said source of pressure to drivethe fluid Within the container through said outlet, said meansincluding'a valve, a'second valve for venting said container to theatmosphere,

and resilient means actingto keep said second valve tightly closed whensaid first valve is open, and permitting said second valve to open underslight differences in pressure When said first valve is closed.

16. A processing apparatus comprising a source ofsupply of fluid to betreated, a plurality of fluid containers, discharge means,

conducting means for connecting each of saidv containers with said fluidsource and With said discharge means, automatic check valves for saidconducting means tending to check iiow therefrom toward said Huid supplyand flovv thereto from said discharge means, a source of pressuregreater than that on said discharge means, a region of Vpressure lessthan that on said Huid supply source, a set of valves, one associatedWith each container, for connecting each'container to said source ofpressure, a second set of valves, one associated With each container,for connecting each container to said region of pressure, and a ventingcheck valve associated with each valve of each set, each of said ventingcheck valves having rgeans for keeping said check valve closed when thevalvewith which it is associated lis open, and `permitting said checkvalve to open under slight differences in pressure when the valve Withwhich it is associated is closed. 1

ISAAC E. COLVIN. GRANT N. MANISON. HUGO G. W'ALTERS.`

